As your cruise draws to an end, you will have to begin thinking about disembarkation. Though self-disembarkation is appealing, as you won't have to worry about placing your luggage outside your cabin or waiting in long queues the morning of, it comes with its own set of challenges.
Hauling your bags off the ship means you're responsible for navigating them through the terminal, making the experience less convenient and more physically demanding than having the cruise line transport your luggage for you.
Instead, cruisers can opt for assisted disembarkation. Rather than worrying about packing at the last minute and managing their bags while trying to enjoy their final moments onboard, passengers set their luggage outside their cabin the night before disembarkation to be collected in the terminal the next morning.
Before assuming self-disembarkation is the right decision for you and your travel party, here are 6 reasons to think twice about carrying your luggage off a cruise ship.
There's no assistance offered for guests with mobility issues
From accessible cabins and shore excursions to easy-to-navigate ships, cruises are great vacation options for those with limited mobility. Plus, they assist passengers who need support during the disembarkation process. The only caveat is that they typically cannot take advantage of self-disembarkation.
According to Royal Caribbean's website, "Self-Assist Early Departure is for guests who want to be off the ship early and can manage their luggage themselves. Regular departure is for guests who want to use our luggage service and don’t mind an assigned departure time. Please note, wheelchair assistance cannot be provided for the Self-Assist program."
If you need help disembarking, you must opt for the standard departure, which includes luggage assistance and support from the crew as you make your way off the ship.
Express disembarkation can feel hurried and stressful
Self-disembarkation often begins before regular disembarkation. Though it is ideal for passengers with early flights, it can add a sense of urgency, resulting in a stressful experience.
Sometimes, express disembarkation begins shortly after the buffet opens, meaning you'd likely be in a rush to grab a bite to eat before making your way to the gangway. Rather than feel pressure to be one of the first guests off the ship, choose a later disembarkation time.
In addition to having a more relaxed breakfast in the Main Dining Room, you'll be able to eat without the inconvenience of managing your bags, as you'll have to have all your personal belongings once you vacate your cabin by the specified time.
It's easy to locate your suitcases inside the terminal thanks to luggage tags
Before you place your bags in the hallway, you'll be provided luggage tags that indicate your disembarkation group.
If you've given a group you're unhappy with, visit Guest Services sooner rather than later. They'll be able to help change your assigned group and answer any other questions you may have about the disembarkation process.
Once you're off the ship, locating and retrieving your bags at the designated area is easy. If you have any issues, an employee can direct you in the right direction. After you've found your bags, you can proceed through customs and immigration before exiting the terminal and beginning your journey home.
Read more: Cruise luggage tag holders for every cruise line
Guests with a lot of bags can utilize the terminal's porter service
Porters are available to assist families with their luggage inside the terminal. If you take advantage of this service, you won't have to handle your bags, which could be useful for families with smaller children or numerous suitcases.
Tipping the porter after they've transported your luggage to your next mode of transportation, whether a private vehicle, rideshare, taxi, or bus, is customary. You will want a few small bills handy, so you do not have to waste time digging through a purse or larger bag.
Taking your bags off the ship can take extra time
Just like on embarkation day, the elevators are a hot commodity on the final morning of the cruise. With thousands of guests making their way to breakfast and preparing to disembark, they can get crowded. On a normal sea day, it's easier to pack elevators full of guests, as they are not hauling suitcases around.
The added luggage on disembarkation day means you will likely have to wait on an elevator. However, those who opted for regular disembarkation can bypass the lengthy wait by taking the stairs. While nobody will stop you from using the stairs with your luggage, it's far more difficult than waiting on an elevator.
Read more: Elevator or stairs on a cruise ship? Your choice could make you live longer, study finds
If you have a later disembarkation time, you'll have to haul your bags around the ship until your group is called
To prepare for the next set of guests, cruise ships require guests to vacate their staterooms early on disembarkation day, regardless of their group number. The time varies; however, you should expect to be out of your cabin no later than 8:30am, though it's usually earlier.
Those in one of the later groups will have to wait in public areas until their assigned departure time. If you decide to carry your luggage off, you'll be responsible for hauling it around the ship until your group is called.
Read more: What Is a Turnaround Day on a Cruise?
Cruise ship disembarkation tips
Don't pack your morning essentials in your suitcase
As you will be without most of your belongings when you wake up, keep your essentials in a small carry-on bag, such as a backpack or tote bag. Medication, toiletries, your cruise card, and documentation are all important to keep on your person; however, you'll need a pair of pajamas to sleep in, as well as a change of clothing for the following day.
Check every drawer and closet before vacating your stateroom
Though you'll have likely searched the cabin thoroughly while packing, it is easy to overlook small items. Before going to breakfast or heading to the gangway, do one final sweep to ensure you haven't left behind any personal belongings.
Visit Guest Services if you don't like your assigned disembarkation time
Perhaps you have a later flight and do not want to be in one of the earlier groups or prefer to be one of the first groups called to hit the road as soon as possible. Either way, it's best to visit Guest Services as soon as you're aware of your assigned disembarkation group if it doesn't meet your needs.
Tip luggage porters
Passengers with one or two bags do not necessarily need to utilize a porter; however, if you don't want to haul your bags from the terminal to your transportation, seek assistance near the baggage claim. Note that it's customary to tip them, as they're taking the time to stack your bags onto a trolley and load them into your vehicle.
Make transportation arrangements in advance
When sailing out of South Florida, rideshares are my go-to because of their convenience. Even if my cruise is out of Miami, a Lyft or Uber to Fort Lauderdale is easy to arrange and affordable. Recently, however, I disembarked in Civitavecchia for the first time.
After researching our options, my fiancée and I agreed to book transfers to the Fiumicino Airport through Celebrity. Though slightly more expensive, we were grateful for the seamless transfers after a long week exploring the Greek Isles. We walked off the ship and were onboard our bus transfer in minutes!
Be wary of early flights
I get it—sometimes your only flight options are an early morning or later afternoon departure. Who wants to sit around in an airport all day, right? While booking an early flight may sound ideal, plenty of situations could leave you stranded, from a delayed return to port to long TSA lines.
If the afternoon flight is sold out, you may not be able to return home the same day! Err on the side of caution and book the later departure. You will thank yourself on disembarkation morning since you won't be rushing off the ship!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
